ciudad juarez: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples

Low in general English; medium-high in specific contexts (news, geography, discussions of US-Mexico relations).
UK/sjuːˌdæd ˈhwɑːrɛz/US/sjuˌdɑd ˈwɑrɛz/ or /ˌsjuˌdɑd hwɑˈrɛz/

Formal/Neutral. Primarily used in news, academic, and geographical contexts.

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Quick answer

What does “ciudad juarez” mean?

A major city in northern Mexico, located directly across the Rio Grande from El Paso, Texas, USA. It is an industrial and manufacturing hub and a key point of transit.

Audio

Pronunciation

Definition

Meaning and Definition

A major city in northern Mexico, located directly across the Rio Grande from El Paso, Texas, USA. It is an industrial and manufacturing hub and a key point of transit.

Often used as a reference point in discussions about border dynamics, immigration, trade under the USMCA agreement, and challenges related to drug cartel violence and industrial development (maquiladoras).

Dialectal Variation

British vs American Usage

Differences

Usage is identical; familiarity may be higher in American English due to proximity and media coverage of border issues.

Connotations

In both varieties, it can carry connotations of a border city with complex socio-economic and security dynamics.

Frequency

Slightly more frequent in American English media.

Grammar

How to Use “ciudad juarez” in a Sentence

is located in ___is situated across from ___borders ___

Vocabulary

Collocations

strong
border city of Ciudad JuárezCiudad Juárez and El Pasomanufacturing in Ciudad Juárezviolence in Ciudad Juárez
medium
across from Ciudad Juáreztravel to Ciudad Juárezmaquiladoras in Ciudad Juárez
weak
Ciudad Juárez residentsCiudad Juárez areaCiudad Juárez officials

Examples

Examples of “ciudad juarez” in a Sentence

adjective

British English

  • The Ciudad Juárez manufacturing sector is growing.
  • Ciudad Juárez-based companies often export to the US.

American English

  • The Ciudad Juarez maquiladora industry is a key employer.
  • Ciudad Juarez-related news often focuses on border security.

Usage

Meaning in Context

Business

Referencing manufacturing and cross-border supply chains.

Academic

Used in studies of urbanization, border studies, and international relations.

Everyday

Rare in casual conversation outside relevant geographic or news contexts.

Technical

Used in logistics, immigration law, and international trade discussions.

Vocabulary

Synonyms of “ciudad juarez”

Neutral

Juárez (common shortened form)

Weak

the border citythe industrial hub

Watch out

Common Mistakes When Using “ciudad juarez”

  • Misspelling: 'Cuidad Juarez' (incorrect first vowel).
  • Mispronunciation: Pronouncing 'J' as in English 'jump' instead of an aspirated 'H' sound.
  • Using 'Juarez' alone can be ambiguous (referring to the historical figure Benito Juárez).

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Often, yes, especially in regional or news context. However, 'Ciudad Juárez' is the formal name and avoids confusion with the historical figure Benito Juárez.

It is pronounced like an aspirated 'h' in English (as in 'house'), not like the English 'j' in 'judge'.

Due to its location on a major border crossing, it features in stories about immigration, international trade, and unfortunately, drug cartel-related violence.

A factory in Mexico, especially near the US border, that imports materials and equipment on a duty-free and tariff-free basis for assembly or manufacturing and then re-exports the assembled product.

A major city in northern Mexico, located directly across the Rio Grande from El Paso, Texas, USA. It is an industrial and manufacturing hub and a key point of transit.

Ciudad juarez is usually formal/neutral. primarily used in news, academic, and geographical contexts. in register.

Learning

Memory Aids

Mnemonic

Think: 'See you at the Juárez border' -> Ciudad Juárez.

Conceptual Metaphor

A GATEWAY or BRIDGE (between Mexico and the US); a FRONTIER (of industry and conflict).

Practice

Quiz

Fill in the gap
The twin cities of and El Paso form a major metropolitan area on the US-Mexico border.
Multiple Choice

What is Ciudad Juárez best known for in an economic context?

Practise

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Five interactive tools to remember words, train your ear, and build vocabulary in real context — drawn from this dictionary.

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